Macnab uses the conceptual nature of the square and the idea of the number four in chapter 4 of her book and it affects The Color Purple regarding the idea of multiplicity in numerous ways as well. Macnab makes known that the number infiltrates our existence through multiple elements, which include the four corners of the earth and four directions, seasons and quarters in an hour as well. In The Color Purple sisters Celie and Nettie are separated by continents, as Celie is in America and Nettie is doing missionary work in Africa. There are a plethora of letters sent across the four corners of the earth and through numerous seasons. Each Easter and Christmas Nettie writes to her sister over the years and the number four is present in the seasons as well (spring, summer, fall, and winter).
Quilting is a recurring subject broached in The Color Purple and it is indicative of the ideas relating to the number four and multiplicity as well. Quilting squares have four corners and to form the finished product of the actual quilt, a large quantity of these squares must be produced and sewn together. This is the perfect way to describe the idea of multiplicity as it relates to both texts.
